Stethoscope device



y 5, 1969 R. M. BETHUNE 3,455,293

STETHOSCOPE DEVICE Filed Aug. 5,

INVENTOR. Rcgj lgw W.M.BETl;lUNE* BY Mfla42m4w ATTORNEYS United States Patent ()1 f 3,455,293 STETHOSCOPE DEVICE Robert W. M. Bethune, 144 Bronwood Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90049 Filed Aug. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 387,638 Int. Cl. A61b 5/02, 5/04 U.S. Cl. 128-2.05 2 Claims This invention relates to a stethoscope device and more particularly to a structure for enabling a doctor to listen to a patients heartbeat at the same time that an EKG tracing of the heart action is being made.

During operations, it is common practice for the anesthetist to listen to the patients heart with a stethoscope. It would also be desirable, however, to provide an EKG tracing of the heartbeat during the operation which could simultaneously be observed by the anesthetist. However, when a conventional stethoscope is employed, the pick-up portion of the stethoscope is positioned over the patients heart and thus interferes in any attempt to connect up the conventional EKG machine wires.

In the case of small children wherein it might be desirable to provide an EKG tracing, it is usually necessary to provide one of the EKG machine leads that connects adjacent to the heart area of the body with a needle in order to hold it in position. This is because a child tends to move around more than an adult and may dislodge the electrode if it is not properly anchored. Such could be avoided if the child could be rendered unconscious prior to connection of the EKG machine. However, in anesthetizing the child, it is desirable for the doctor to be able to listen to the childs heart beat. In order to listen to the heart beat, the portion of the childs body to which the electrode is to be connected is often-times eclipsed by the stethoscope and thus the desired EKG tracing cannot readily be attained.

With the foregoing considerations in nmind, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved stethoscope device in which a doctor, such as an anesthetist, may listen to the patients heartbeat and breathing at the time the patient is being anesthetized, and simultaneously provide for an EKG tracing of the heart.

Briefly, this and other objects and advantages of this invention are attained by providing a stethoscope which may be initially manufactured in such a manner that there is provided a conducting wire Within a portion of the tubular construction connecting the stethoscope pick-up portion with the ear insert, or listening portion. This conducting wire connects electrically to the stethoscope pick-up device at one end of the tube. The other end of the wire passes laterally from the tube to connect to an EKG machine.

Alternatively, an adaptor may be provided for use with a conventional stethoscope wherein the adapter is in the form of a T-shaped tubular construction, the arms of the T providing sound communication between the stethoscope pick-up device and the ear insert structure. An electrical conductor wire is disposed within one arm to electrically connect to the pick-up device, the other end of the wire passing through the leg of the T to connect to an EKG machine.

By means of the foregoing constructions, it is possible for the doctor to listen to a patients heart beat and at the same time have the stethoscope pick-up portion serve as the electrode to conduct current through the internal wire to the EKG machine. In this respect, the other four conventional wires from the EKG machine may be connected to the extremities of the patient in a conventional manner.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by now referring to a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

3,455,293 Patented July 15, 1969 FIGURE 1 is a schematic, perspective view illustrating the stethoscope of this invention together with aii EKG machine, all connected for use with a patient; and

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating in detail the connection of a portion of the tubular construction to the stethoscope pick-up device.

Referring first to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a stethoscope including a stethoscope pick-up device 10 having a connector portion 11. Ordinarily, this connector portion 11 would be adapted to receive another connector 12, illustrated at the end of a flexible sound tube 13 connecting to an ear insert 14.

In accordance with one feature of this invention, there is provided an adapter constituting a T-shaped tubular construction 15 having one arm 16 thereof terminating in a connector 17 identical to the connector 12 so that the connector 17 may be received within the connector 11 of the stethoscope pick-up 10. The other arm 18 of the T construction in turn is arranged to receive the connector 12 so as to be connected to the ear insert tube 13. The leg of the T construction is illustrated at 19 and extends to an EKG machine 20.

As shown in the broken away portion of FIGURE 1, there is provided an electrical conductor wire 21 Within the arm 16 of the T-shaped tubular construction. One end of the wire 21 connects to the connector 17 so that when the connector 17 is connected to the stethoscope pick-up connector 11, the wire 21 is in electrical connection with the stethoscope pick-up. The other end of the wire, as illustrated in dotted lines, extends through the arm 16 to the T inner section as at 15 and within the leg 19 of the T to connect to a suitable terminal in the EKG machine 20, as at 22.

The other four wires employed with the EKG machine are illustrated at 23.

FIGURE 2 illustrates in detail the connector 17 wherein it will be noted that the wire 21 extending within the tubular arm 16 of the T-shape is soldered or welded into secure electrical connection with the connector 17 as at 24. The connector 11 includes an internal groove for a bayonet-type connection with the connector 17 as is conventionally provided for stethoscopes.

It will be evident from FIGURE 2 that the-conductor 21 is in electrical connection with the stethoscope 10 through the medium of the connector 11 and connector 17. Thus, when the stethoscope pick-up 10 is positioned against a patients heart area, the desired electrode type contact for the Wire 21 with the patients skin will be effected.

In operation, an anesthetist or other doctor would simply insert the T construction in his stethoscope or employ a stethoscope already made up with a T connection as described in FIGURE 1. The anesthetist may then connect the end of the wire from the leg '19 to the EKG machine 20. The stethoscope 10 is connected to the connector 17 by means of the connector 11 and positioned over the patients heart. The doctor may then insert the ear insert portion 14 in his ear and as the patient is anesthetized, listen to the breathing rhythm and heart beat of the patient. Simultaneously, with the other leads 23 of the EKG machine properly connected to the extreme portions of the arms and legs of the patient, a tracing indicating heart action will be effected.

Since the pick-up portion 10 of the stethoscope serves the dual function of an electrode as well as a sound transmitting medium, there is no interference with any of the normal wire connections adjacent to the patients heart area when a conventional EKG tracing is effected. Further, since the wire 21 passes interiorly of the T- shaped tubular arm 16, it is protected by the tube. Thus, the tube itself serves the dual function of serving as a housing for the wire and also serving as a passageway for sound impulses to the ear insert 14.

From the foregoing description, it will thus be evident that the present invention has provided an improved stethoscope device for use by anesthetists or other doctors wherein it is desired to audibly check a patients heart at the same time that an EKG tracing is being taken.

What is claimed is:

1. A stethoscope comprising: an ear insert; a stethoscope pick-up; a flexible tubular member connected between said ear insert and stethoscope pick-up to provide a sound carrying passage therebetween; and, an electrical conductor wire-disposed within at least a portion of said flexible tubular member and having one end electrically connected with said stethoscope pick-up and its other end passing laterally from said flexible tubular member whereby said flexible tubular member serves the dual function of passing sound impulses and of housing said electrical conductor wire.

2. A stethoscope according to claim '1, including a References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,433,679 10/1922 Fisk 1282.05 2,821,188 1/1958 Pigeon 128-205 2,875,278 2/1959 Lueders 179-1 RICHARD 'A, GAUDET, Primary Examiner KYLE L. HOWELL, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 1282.06; 181-24 

1. A STETHOSCOPE COMPRISING: AN EAR INSERT; A STETHOSCOPE PICK-UP; A FLEXIBLE TUBULAR MEMBER CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID EAR INSERT AND STETHOSCOPE PICK-UP TO PROVIDE A SOUND CARRYING PASSAGE THEREBETWEEN; AND, AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR WIRE DISPOSED WITHIN AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID FLEXIBLE TUBULAR MEMBER AND HAVING ONE END ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED WITH SAID STETHOSCOPE PICK-UP AND ITS OTHER END PASSING LATERALLY FROM SAID FLEXIBLE TUBULAR MEMBER WHEREBY SAID FLEXIBLE TUBUALR MEMBER SERVES THE DUAL FUNCTION OF PASSING SOUND IMPULSES AND OF HOUSING AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR WIRE. 